YLD Committees

YLD Committees

2017-2018 Committee Leadership

Public Service Committees

CHILDREN'S ISSUES COMMITTEE

The Children’s Issues Committee focuses on the partnership between the YLD and the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, selects a CASA volunteer to honor each year, and facilitates public service programs that benefit children and youth in Tennessee.

The Disaster Relief Committee trains lawyers on how to provide legal assistance to those affected by natural disasters and takes on pro bono cases of its own. It also maintains the YLD’s Disaster Legal Assistance Manual and updates it as necessary.

The Mock Trial Committee oversees the high school mock trial program, in which teams of students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a hypothetical trial. The committee hosts the state competition and recruits volunteers to serve as coaches, jurors, scorers and bailiffs.

The Public Service Committee organizes lawyers from across the state to mount a major volunteer effort for the year. The committee also coordinates YLD involvement in the annual Celebrate Pro Bono Month events and helps implement law-related programs for students and the public.

Member Service Committees

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The TBA YLD annually produces a number of educational seminars designed for young lawyers. The Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee is responsible for identifying course topics, arranging speakers, preparing materials and moderating programs.

The Diversity Committee is responsible for proposing and executing programs designed to increase racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, geographic and practice area diversity within the leadership and membership of the TBA YLD. It also runs the Diversity Leadership Institute, a six-month leadership program for Tennessee law students.

The Long Range Planning Committee is responsible for developing and amending the division’s long range plan, which sets out the goals and objectives for the YLD for the next five years. The committee is chaired by the current YLD vice president.

The Membership Committee is charged with encouraging young lawyers in the state to join the TBA and get involved with its Young Lawyers Division. Activities include staffing a TBA information table at the swearing in ceremonies for new admittees and membership social events in key cities.

The Public Policy Committee is charged with monitoring policy issues of interest to young lawyers, educating members on these issues and encouraging grassroots activity. The committee also serves as a coordinating body for the young lawyer members of the TBA House of Delegates and ABA House of Delegates.

Committee Includes: Bryce McKenzie, Young Lawyer Delegate to the TBA House of Delegates, East; Nina Kumar, Young Lawyer Delegate to the TBA House of Delegates, Middle; Nicole Grida, Young Lawyer Delegate to the TBA House of Delegates, West; Troy Weston, TBA Young Lawyer Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates; Rachel Mancl, Executive Committee Liaison Jason Hicks, Executive Committee Liaison

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Historically, the Publications Committee produced educational publications, including Basic Legal Resources, a guide to the law for social service agencies and an elder law handbook. The committee now focuses on internal communications products designed to keep YLD members informed of on-going projects and up-coming news through its monthly electronic newsletter E-DICT and social media.